How to buy on Whatnot

There are a few different ways to buy on Whatnot, whether you’re shopping during a live show or browsing a seller’s profile. 

Before placing a bid or making a purchase, add a payment method and shipping address in your account settings. 

In this guide: 

• Buying in live shows

  • Auction

  • Buy It Now

  • Flash Sale

  • Giveaway

  • Breaks (Cards)

• Buying outside of shows

  • Buy It Now

  • Pre-Bid

  • Auction (outside shows)

Buying in live shows 

Sellers can use different sales formats during a show. Here’s what each one means and how it works.

Auction

Auctions are the most common way to sell items during live shows.

To place a bid:

• Swipe the Bid button

• Or tap Custom to enter the highest amount you’re willing to pay

If you enter a custom bid, we’ll automatically bid for you up to your maximum amount. We’ll never bid above the limit you set.

Standard auctions

These run for a set amount of time chosen by the seller — from a few seconds to several minutes. If someone places a bid near the end, a few seconds are added to the clock so others have a chance to respond. When the timer ends, the highest bidder wins.

Sudden-death auctions

These work like standard auctions, but no extra time is added after a bid. The auction ends exactly when the timer runs out. Sudden-death auctions are marked with a skull icon next to the clock.

Learn more about how to bid in an auction.

Buy It Now

Buy It Now items are fixed-price products available during a show.

To purchase:

• Tap the Buy It Now tab in the seller’s shop

• Select the item

• Tap Buy Now

You don’t need to wait for an auction. You can purchase instantly while supplies last.

Flash Sale

A Flash Sale is a discounted Buy It Now item offered for a short time during a live show. The price is reduced for a limited window, sometimes only a few seconds.

If you’d like the item, make sure to complete your purchase before the timer ends. Some sellers will rapidly run multiple Flash Sales one after the other, so act quick!

Giveaway

Some sellers offer free items during their shows.

If a giveaway is active:

• You’ll see a Giveaway box at the top of your screen

• Tap the box to enter

Giveaways are free to enter, and sellers are responsible for shipping costs. Sellers may limit entries to followers or to buyers who’ve made a purchase in that show.

Learn more:

• Giveaways Overview
• Enter a Standard Giveaway
• Enter a Buyer Appreciation Giveaway

Breaks (Cards)

Breaks are common in trading card categories. In a break, a seller lets buyers purchase “spots” tied to a box, case, or pack of cards. Once all spots are sold, the seller opens the product live and distributes cards based on the break format.

Common break formats include:

1. Random Spot. Buyers purchase one or more spots (through an auction or Buy It Now). After spots are sold, each spot is randomly assigned a team, character, number, or slot. When the product is opened, you receive the cards that match your assigned spot.
   • Example: In a Pokémon break, “Spot 3” might receive all cards featuring Grass-type Pokémon, if that’s how the seller organized the break.

2. Pick Your Spot or Pick Your Team. Buyers choose the exact spot they want (like a specific sports team or character) instead of receiving one randomly. After the product is opened, each buyer receives the cards that match the spot they purchased. This format gives you more control, but popular teams/characters/spots usually cost more.

3. Hit Draft. The seller reveals all cards or items first. Buyers then purchase a spot in the draft (either bidding for a specific draft position or receiving one randomly). Buyers take turns choosing cards/items based on their draft order.

4. Pack Break. Each buyer purchases a specific pack within a box before the box is opened. Once the box is opened, each buyer receives the pack they purchased. Packs are often opened one by one on camera, but some sellers may offer the option to keep your pack sealed.

Break rules vary by seller, so always review the listing details, and any on-screen instructions, before purchasing.

Buying outside of shows

You don’t have to join a live show to make a purchase. Sellers may offer items directly from their shop.

Buy It Now

Fixed-price items can often be purchased anytime from the product details page.

To purchase:

• Open the item

• Tap Buy Now

Some Buy It Now items may be reserved for a live show and can only be purchased while that show is live.

Make an offer on a Buy Now product 

Some sellers allow you to submit an offer below the listed price for Buy It Now items. 

To submit an offer:

• Tap Make Offer

• Enter your price

If the seller accepts, the transaction will process automatically. You won’t be charged unless your offer is accepted. Offers expire after 30 days or if you delete them.

Learn more about making offers. 

Pre-Bid

If an item is scheduled for an auction during a show, you may see a Pre-Bid option on the product page.

When you place a pre-bid before the show:

• We’ll automatically bid for you up to your maximum amount once the item runs during the show

• You don’t need to be watching the show for your pre-bid to apply

• We’ll never exceed the limit you set

You can still bid manually during the show if you're outbid or you want to increase your maximum.

Learn more about pre-bidding before shows. 

Auction (outside shows)

Some sellers run auctions directly from their shop. These may last hours, days, or longer.

To bid:

• Swipe the Bid button

• Or tap Custom to enter your maximum amount

Just like in shows, if you make a custom bid, we’ll automatically bid for you up to your set limit.